No fuel-powered motorboats, jet skis in Dal Lake, orders Jammu and Kashmir High Court

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has banned the use of fuel-powered motorboats and jet skis in Dal Lake, citing environmental concerns. On October 14, Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati, along with Justice Rajesh Sekhri, directed the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Tourism Department, and police to refrain from allowing any fuel-powered motorboat or jet ski to operate in the lake.

Violations of this order would be considered contempt of court, with strict enforcement by the relevant authorities. The ban was issued during a hearing of a petition concerning the licensing and renewal process for motorboats in Dal Lake. Experts argued that uniform, transparent, and environmentally sound licensing is necessary, along with a regulated approach to protect the lake's ecosystem.

The court emphasized the importance of balancing tourism activities with the preservation of Dal Lake's sanctity, noting that solar and electric boats could serve as viable alternatives to motorized boats.